The Catcher in the Rye - Timeline

SaturdayHolden Caulfield has just been expelled from Pency Prep and is supposed to leave on Wednesday. He goes to see Mr Spencer to say goodbye, but shows irritation when Mr Spencer tries to remind him of his poor academic performance. Holden goes back to his dormitory. Back at his dormitory, Holden tries to read a book but is constantly interrupted by Ackley. He tries to deter him but Ackley doesn’t take the hint. Eventually, Stradlater arrives. Stradlater asks Holden to write him a descriptive English composition, which Holden agrees to. Stradlater reveals that his date is Jean Gallagher, an old friend of Holden’s. Holden shows surprise at this, and proceeds to talk about the things they used to do, such as play checkers. Stradlater isn’t interested in such small talk, and soon leaves. Holden has dinner then leaves with his friend Mal Brossard and Ackley to hang around in Agerstown, a nearby town. They return to their dormitories, and Ackley parks himself in Holden’s bed, despite the hints for him to get off. Holden writes about his dead brother Allie’s baseball bat for Stradlater. Stradlater returns, and isn’t pleased with the work about a baseball glove. Holden takes it and rips it into pieces. Holden then asks him if he had sex with Jane, and doesn’t get a straight response. Holden loses his temper and tries to fight Stradlater, resulting in a bleeding nose. Holden cleans himself up and goes over to Ackley’s room. He says that he fought Stradlater to defend Ackley’s name. He harasses Ackley for a while then decides to leave early and spend a few days in a hotel. After packing up, he heads off. He walks to the train station and catches the train. A woman sits next to him and reveals that he’s the mother of Ernest Morrow, another Pency Prep student. He makes up a lie about how her son is popular then talks for a while until she leaves. Holden gets off at Penn Station and goes to the phone booth but can’t think of anyone...